Be Still And Know

Psalm 130:7-8 NLT  'O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.'  How hopeful are you? The media bombards us with reasons for anguish. But hope can still be born within the human heart, arising from trust, desire and aspiration. For me, circumstances joined with my mood and perspective can all too easily kill hope in its infancy. All that grows from such barren soil is cynicism and self-interest.   I have recently been doing some research into the early Church, in the days before the emperor Constantine legalised Christianity. The Christians met in secret for fear of persecution and therefore it was challenging for individuals to convert. The wider community, however, was grateful to the Christians, for everyone knew that in times of plague or famine, the Christians would offer care, financial help and support. They lived as instructed by Jesus, which is why we read in Acts that while not everyone joined